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Observing the screen starsThu, 15 Feb 2018 04:37:24 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngTellyscopehttps://tellyscope.wordpress.com
Samantha Brick, what an oxymoron.https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/samantha-brick-what-an-oxymoron/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/samantha-brick-what-an-oxymoron/#respondMon, 03 Sep 2012 23:40:20 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=718Samantha Brick is one of the latest contestants to be mercilessly booted out of the CBB house, and we all know what that means… another one of her insightful articles is on its way!

Despite claiming that she could ‘never’ write about any of her fellow housemates, the journalist announced as soon as she left the house that she will ‘definitely’ be penning a piece about her CBB experience.

Self-proclaimed beauty Samantha, who wrote that controversial piece for the Daily Mail, told host Brian Dowling that her article will focus specifically on Rhian and Danica.

Samantha, who disagrees with the glamour girls’ career choices and the way they ‘treat men’, said that Danica’s ‘moral compass is set in a completely different way’ to her own.

(image: thesun.co.uk)

The journalist also stated that she “would not have done anything Danica does”. Hmm, not sure about that. In the article which made “Samantha Brick” a household name, the journalist admits to accepting gifts from men she doesn’t know and exploiting men to get ahead professionally. Which, as far as I understand, is what Danica does for a living.

Samantha has questioned the concept of Danica’s ‘wishlist’ website, yet she herself has bragged openly about the countless men who have bestowed her with gifts – and who have done so purely because of her looks.

“I’ve regularly had bottles of bubbly or wine sent to my restaurant table by men I don’t know,” Samantha wrote in her now infamous article. “Once, a well-dressed chap bought my train ticket when I was standing behind him in the queue, while there was another occasion when a charming gentleman paid my fare as I stepped out of a cab in Paris.

(image: unrealitytv.co.uk)

“Another time, as I was walking through London’s Portobello Road market, I was tapped on the shoulder and presented with a beautiful bunch of flowers. Even bar tenders frequently shoo my credit card away when I try to settle my bill.

“And whenever I’ve asked what I’ve done to deserve such treatment, the donors of these gifts have always said the same thing: my pleasing appearance and pretty smile made their day.” In light of these comments, I find it difficult to understand how Samantha can judge Danica for garnering and enjoying male attention.

It could be that she simply disagrees with how Danica makes a living, but how can she criticize the glamour model in such terms when she herself has admitted to using sex appeal for her own professional gain? “When you have a male boss, it’s a different game,” Samantha wrote. “I have flirted to get ahead at work, something I’m sure many women do.”

(image: standard.co.uk)

Given Samantha’s own exploitative attitude toward men, I’m not sure why she’s quite so rattled by Danica’s behaviour. Could it be that the journo is, in fact, a little bit jealous of the young model? After all, she has claimed that “older women” are ‘the most hostile to beautiful women… because they feel their own bloom fading”.

Samantha has also said that “women find nothing more annoying than someone else being the most attractive girl in a room”. Well, Danica was patently the hottest gal in the house, and Samantha – who is both older and arguably less attractive – is annoyed by her. No prizes for guessing why.

Oh how ironic it is that Samantha has become a prime example of her own bitter theories! I think she should give up on writing articles, set up a wishlist, sit back and just wait for all the bottles of bubbly to roll in. After all, she is the most beautiful woman in the room…. Unless, of course, that room contains Danica.

(image: channel5)

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/samantha-brick-what-an-oxymoron/feed/0heleddwilliamsJulie Goodyear: CBB’s scariest OAPhttps://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/julie-goodyear-cbb-scary-oap/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/julie-goodyear-cbb-scary-oap/#respondFri, 31 Aug 2012 12:17:23 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=705I’m starting to suspect Julie might be the devil incarnate, for the old dame is playing one seriously venomous game in the CBB house.

Julie, who likes to think of herself as the house’s mother hen, is quite possibly the most intimidating seventy year old woman I’ve ever seen in my life.

While she accuses others (namely Coleen) of being fake, Julie herself has displayed a multitude of faces while in the CBB house – none of which are particularly pretty to look at.

Would you mess with this woman? (image: cdnds.net)

Her language is strong to say the least, but what I find most disturbing about Julie are her emphatic displays of false sincerity. I shudder each time she flashes that toothy, gum-chewing grin of hers while ‘bonding’ with another housemate.

Watching Julie lure individual housemates into one-on-one conversations is like watching a deadly spider weave its web. It’s fascinating. The actress certainly has a strange charisma about her, one which other housemates just can’t seem to resist.

For example, she has glamour model Danika massaging her feet, Daily Mail journo Samantha Brick calling her ‘mummy’, and the rest of the housemates kissing her proverbial bottom. Even Coleen, who clearly dislikes the ex-Corry star, can’t help but aquiesce when offered one of Julie’s ‘sympathetic’ hugs (that’s the same Julie who previously branded Coleen a “two-faced b***ard”).

“That’s the spot” (image: cdnds.net)

Julie reminds me of that character from Lord of the Rings, Grima Wormtongue – otherwise known as the “archetypal sycophant, flatterer, liar and manipulator”. Given Julie’s barbed remarks, false declarations of love and corrupt whisperings, I think she’d be perfect for that role.

After all (and you have to give it to her), Julie is one hell of an actress. But I think a few housemates are beginning to see through her performance; Martin Kemp has picked up on her vile language, Coleen has long clocked on to her game-playing, and even Julian seems a little wary.

But who else will recognize Julie’s true colours? And more importantly, who will have the courage to stand up to her? Watch this space people!

Will Julie Goodyear make it to the CBB final? (image: holymoly.com)

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/julie-goodyear-cbb-scary-oap/feed/0heleddwilliamsJulie Goodyear and Danica foot massageJulie Goodyear CBBSean Bean in Jimmy McGovern’s Accusedhttps://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/sean-bean-in-accused/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/sean-bean-in-accused/#respondThu, 23 Aug 2012 12:59:52 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=680Sean Bean has played a number of masculine, weapon-wielding roles during the course of his acting career, from Sharpe to Goldeneye’s Alec Trevelyan, to Boromir in Lord of the Rings.

But in his most recent role Bean explores his feminine side, and is armed with a new deadly device: a pair of killer heels. I am, of course, referring to his starring role in Jimmy McGovern’s critically acclaimed legal drama, Accused.

When I first heard that Bean was set to play a transvestite, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect (the idea of him in a skirt seemed somewhat farcical). But having now watched the drama, I can safely say it’s the most poignant thing I’ve seen on TV in a while.

Sean Bean plays the part of crossdresser Tracie in Accused

In the drama, Bean effortlessly toggles between Simon, a shy, middle-aged schoolteacher, and Tracie, his ballsy blonde alter-ego. In fact, Bean plays both sides of the character so distinctively that, at times, you almost forget who you’re meant to be empathizing with- Simon or Tracie.

Inevitably you end up pitying both; Simon while he’s teaching literature to a class of uninterested pupils, and Tracie while she’s waiting nervously for her date to arrive. And of course what further compounds this sense of pity is knowing that both Simon and Tracie are part of the same person; a lonely individual whose life is broken into two vulnerable halves.

The drama toys with the idea of identity, explores the pressure of societal expectations, and highlights the dire consequences of repression. It’s dark, and at times depressing, but there are also moments of brilliant humour – and Bean shines throughout. If you haven’t already, make sure you watch it, if only to see the full extent of Sean Bean’s acting abilities.

But what a lovely problem it is to have! Tuning into the show each night has become my new guilty pleasure. CBB is, once again, proving to be extremely entertaining, and some of the housemates are great fun to watch – in particular Julian Clary.

On last night’s show, Julian, who sat with feline grace on the Diary Room chair, sarcastically lamented the fact that he isn’t considered a ‘bruv’ among the younger male housemates.

Julian Clary aka The Kindly Professor

“I had hoped to be another bruv,”Julian quipped. “But of course I’m that much older, so I don’t come into the bruv category”. He then dryly added that “The Situation”, who he has now started referring to as “The Occasional Table”, takes “a while to formulate a sentence’.

Speaking about the Jersey Shore star, Julian mused: “The Occasional Table is my name – in my head – for The Situation… I think it’s more appropriate… he’s so dense, he doesn’t understand jokes. He’s a funny man isn’t he?”

Catty? Maybe. Hilarious? Absolutely. What a refreshing change it makes to have somebody as humorous and shrewd as Julian in the house – he definitely ain’t the typical calibre of CBB housemate, that’s for sure.

Unexpected friendship: Julian Clary and Julie Goodyear

Equally rewarding to watch is Julian’s blossoming friendship with Julie, otherwise known as his newfound fag-hag. The ex-Corry star may be seventy years old, but she’s certainly still feisty (and has a mouth like a sailor).

After the series ends I think it’s only right that these two have their own chat show, where both simultaneously chain-smoke, make filthy jokes, and put the world to right. While sitting in a swan boat. The Julie and Julian Show. Has a certain ring to it, no?

Julie and Julian aboard The White Swan

More on Julie…

Having said all that, I’m not quite sure where Julie’s coming from, in particular in the context of her odd (and seemingly false) relationship with Jasmine.

Julie was happy enough to tell Jasmine that she ‘loves’ her, ‘adores’ her, and even offered to ‘adopt her’ for the duration of their time in the house.

But once Jasmine disappeared out of sight, Julie freely branded the volatile glamour model a ‘looney’. Methinks there’s a lot more to Julie than meets the eye, and that we can expect much more drama from this old gal yet…

Any BETS on Julie to win? (image: radiotimes.com)

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/julie-and-julian/feed/0heleddwilliamsJulian Clary Celebrity Big BrotherJulian Clary and Julie GoodyearJulie Goodyear and Julian ClaryJulie Goodyear Celebrity Big BrotherI heart Tom Daleyhttps://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/i-heart-tom-daley/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/i-heart-tom-daley/#respondSun, 19 Aug 2012 12:53:40 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=663For an eighteen year old, Tom Daley has achieved a tremendous amount – both in athletic and academic terms. Not only did he bag a bronze medal at London 2012, but he also scored straight As in his A-levels. Brains AND brawn? Somebody won the genetic lottery!

Tom Daley (image: ibtimes.co.uk)

Yet Tom, who appeared on Jonathan Ross last night, displayed the type of modesty that we’re no longer accustomed to. Nowadays our television screens are awash with a sea of arrogant reality TV stars, all of which take pride in being famous for achieving absolutely nothing.

It was humbling to watch Tom, and also Ussain Bolt – two legends who have charisma and talent in abundance – talk about their achievements. It’s undeniable that Ussain has a certain degree of arrogance about him, but unlike with most celebs, it’s justified. And more importantly, it’s good natured, too.

I feel the Olympics has set a new gold standard in terms of fame. After watching so many hard-working, intelligent, yet humble individuals achieve their life goals, it’s hard to revert back to watching the a-typical celeb revel in their undeserved star status.

Snooki goes for boozy gold

Of course some celebrities, namely talented music stars such as Adele, deserve the fame and adoration they get. But others, such as those who feature on programmes like TOWIE, Made in Chelsea, and Jersey / Geordie Shore, now pale in comparison to the Olympians, who I believe to be the true icons of our time.

I hope the Olympics instigates a new wave of celebrity, one which wipes out the emaciated, fame-hungry, moral-free opportunists that have been bombarding our screens for the last decade. Because if young people should aspire to anyone, it’s not the Kardashians, it’s the athletes who competed at London 2012.

And if there’s any teenager that young Brits should aspire to, it’s Tom Daley.

This series is no different to any other in terms of its clientele. The cesspit – sorry, the house – boasts a wealth of Page 3 girls, ex- soap stars, and various other non-entities that nobody really recognizes.

There were a few surprises in the line-up this year though, such as Julian Clary (surely he wouldn’t stoop so low?) and Ashley McKenzie (he’s an Olympian, which means he has talent – an unusual quality for any Big Brother contestant).

Samantha Brick: too beautiful for telly? (image: Channel 5)

As for Samantha Brick, I wasn’t surprised to see her enter the house – but I was intrigued. I eagerly tuned into the show to see how she’d interact with other people, and to find out whether she’d try to redeem herself for her ridiculous articles or, alternatively, get into brutal cat fights with her model housemates.

Sadly, so far she’s just been a bit of a bore. In fact, every housemate has displayed the usual tedious behaviour of their predecessors. As is the norm with each series, contestants either gather like crows in the smoking area, bitch behind each others’ backs, flirt outrageously, make false friendships, or work out in the garden. Yawn.

Don’t you know who I am? Err, nope.

The Page 3 brigade are up to their usual tricks too, and are parading around the place with their myriad plastic parts. The site of fake boobs, hair extensions and collagen lips feels like a crass attack on my eyes, to the point where every time I watch the programme I actually feel nauseous.

Having said all that, I must keep watching, if only to moan about it right here on Tellyscope. After all, the last series with Denise turned out to be dynamite telly, and I can’t miss a repeat of that, can I? Who knows, Big Hev might get it on with Martin Kemp, and Samantha Brick may have an epiphany and realise she’s an idiot.

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/celebrity-big-brother-is-back-again/feed/0heleddwilliamssamantha brick Celebrity big brother 2012Celebrity Big Brother Summer 2012 - Launch NightThe Hunger Games: Reviewhttps://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/the-hunger-games-review/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/the-hunger-games-review/#respondSat, 07 Apr 2012 09:14:11 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=644I watched this film a couple of weeks ago now so this will be a short five point summary rather than a full-blown analysis…

1. The film is good. The overarching plot is gripping and encompasses several themes; love, war, friendship, poverty, celebrity, the brutality of human nature etc. In short it’s a high quality melting pot; a hybrid of awesomeness, if you will.

4. The Hunger Games makes you think, which I didn’t really expect. Then again, given that the film is set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia, it’s hardly surprising that it gives you so much food for thought.

5. And finally, The Hunger Games, as the title may suggest, is EXCITING. Its action-packed, prey-hunting scenes are reminiscent of Jurassic Park (I & II, obv, the third one sucked) while the awesome graphics, wicked outfits and cool sci-fi shiz are all a delight to watch.

Summary: Go see the film, immediately if not sooner.

Am I overdressed?

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/the-hunger-games-review/feed/0heleddwilliamsKatniss Everdeen The Hunger GamesThe Hunger GamesSamantha Brick defends herself on ITV’s This Morninghttps://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/samantha-brick-defends-herself-on-this-morning/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/samantha-brick-defends-herself-on-this-morning/#commentsThu, 05 Apr 2012 14:10:45 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=592Samantha Brick’s controversial article has caused a worldwide media storm. I originally thought the feature was a hoax, and that Samantha Brick might just be the funniest female comedian of all time – or possibly the cleverest self-publicist. Alas this was not to be, for it would appear Samantha was being deadly serious, and as a result she is now enduring the world’s wrath.

Following the mass media revolt (which has totally eclipsed that Angelina Jolie leg-bombing craze) Samantha decided to go on This Morning and defend her article. During her appearance not only was she trending #1 in the UK, but #2 globally. If you missed the show, here are the highlights…

Samantha introduces herself to Eamonn Holmes and the gang, declaring: “I live in the middle of France, I live in the middle of the countryside, with my husband and our dogs, and I’m a housewife first and foremost, I write part-time around my chores at home.” Part-time writing probably for the best Sam, lest you wish to endure written abuse on a daily basis.

2. Samantha takes a trip to Delusion-ville

“Were you asked to write the article?” asks Eamonn. “Or did you say ‘I want to write this article’ because you felt so strongly about it?”

“The background to the article was – and I think I mentioned this anecdote in the piece – I walk my dogs every day, as you do, in the countryside, and I passed a woman that I know. Her kids stay at my house with my stepson, we know each other at social events etc. and I waved at her – everyone does that in the French countryside, we all know each other – she didn’t wave back. And I just thought, ‘Blimey!'”

Samantha Brick on This Morning (image: This Morning ITV)

Except Samantha didn’t just think ‘Blimey’, did she. In fact, I’d say she went about five stages beyond the normal response of “Blimey”. I imagine Samantha’s train of thought at that point in time actually went something like this: “I am incredibly beautiful and this woman is clearly jealous of my undeniable beauty. This, and only this, is the reason why she blanked me.

“It can’t be because she was focusing on the road, nor because she was temporarily blinded by my dazzling smile (although many have been). No, it was definitely because she envies my good looks. And now I must write about this life-changing event on the Daily Mail website.” Rational, no?

3. The quack starts quacking

Perturbed psychologist Emma Kenny then pipes up with, “I don’t think the controversy has genuinely been about the fact that you suggested you get treated a certain way because you have good looks -”

[Samantha randomly cuts across] “And also I’m 41, those things don’t happen to me every day of the week, it’s half a dozen encounters that have happened to me over forty years, it’s not like that’s happening all the time.”

But that’s the point Samantha, you did say it happens all the time IN YOUR STUPID ARTICLE.

Samantha Brick & the gang on This Morning (image: dailymail.co.uk)

4. The quack goes quackers

Emma Kenny gets increasingly wound up: “It’s not necessarily that that’s offended people, it’s the suggestion that women generically and in society don’t like you because you’re pretty, and from my point of view, and as somebody who has varied friends in diverse groups, I have never felt as a woman disliked because of the way that I look – and definitely not disliked women.”

Okay Emma, chill out with the sanctimonious chat. We’ve all been jealous, whether occasionally or frequently, of people that are visibly better looking than us. It’s like, Darwinian or something, innit? Survival of the fittest (in every sense of the word). And let’s be honest, nobody really likes to be beaten on the evolutionary front.

Nevertheless, I would argue that most of us have the intelligence to recognize that there’s more to a person (and indeed to life) than looks. I would also argue that you can appreciate another person’s looks regardless of their sex, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that it’s enjoyable to be around friends who are happy in their own skin.

I'd stay inside for a while if I were you Sam (image: dailymail.co.uk)

5. Brick backlash

“I’ve had thousands of e-mails to my personal account not to mention all the rubbish on Twitter. And women have fallen into two camps, they’ve either gone: ‘You’re off your head’, ‘You’re a nutter’, ‘What are you on about’, ‘You’re really arrogant’. Or they’ve said to me, ‘You’ve just reiterated the story of my life – thank you'”.

At this point she actually wells up and I start feeling sorry for her, but then I remember she is a self-indulgent narcissist. Bit harsh? Ah whatevz, she deserves it.

6. Samantha hits a nerve

“It’s really difficult when you’re perceived as being attractive, other women do not like it.”

Sadly, I think there’s some truth in this. I believe most women have the capacity to feel jealous of other women who they deem good looking, but I don’t agree with Samantha that all women instantly dislike a woman purely because she’s good looking. That would be absurd.

I know so many women (friends, family, acquaintances etc.) who are beautiful, but I don’t dislike them. I HATE THEM. Jokes. Seriously though, why would you dislike a friend for being good looking? Surely you’re not really friends if all you think about is how you compare with each other in physical terms…

"I am a well-adjusted, hard-working and beautiful individual who likes working out on a daily basis" (image: dailymail.co.uk)

7. Ruth Langsford chips in

“It’s the fact that you say women don’t like you,” says Ruth in a calm and collected (but blatantly peed off) manner. “It’s one thing to say you’re attractive, but to actually come out loud and say it and put it in print and say: ‘I am a beautiful woman’, does have a certain arrogance about it. We don’t hate beautiful women, we don’t like arrogant women – or men actually.”

Samantha then offers a rebuttal, saying: “You’ll appreciate the feature is 1200 words, it’s a compression of all my experiences… a lot of my friends and family have read it and said: ‘God blimey, is that you Sam?’ But you know that’s one tiny aspect of who I am as a human being, and I’ve put it into a feature, so of course I’m not surprised that people think ‘what an arrogant person’”.

"Don't hate me 'cause you ain't me" (image: dailymail.co.uk)

“I don’t have those experiences every day of my life… of course I live in the middle of the French countryside, I see about 2 cars that go pass my house.”

Yes Samantha, you live in the middle of nowhere and have limited human contact, and maybe that’s why you have a warped view of life and a deluded perception of yourself. Just a theory.

8. Emma Kenny brings out the big guns

The psychologist, who by this point is about to implode, turns to Samantha and says, “So what you’re actually saying is, this is a minority of experiences and this doesn’t apply to you…”

“These are experiences that have happened to me without question,” Samantha retorts.

“But on a minor level?” The psychologist snaps back.

“Err, well, no.” says Samantha.

“So on a major level?”

“There’s shades of grey.”

Read: there are shades of bullshit, all of which can be found in Samantha’s article.

Samantha on her daily walk where she may or may not be blanked by jealous women (image: dailymail.co.uk)

9. Eamonn plays hard ball

“But what there are not shades of is that you definitely believe that you are very good looking?” asks Eamonn.

“It’s not that I believe it,” says Samantha. “I believe the perception of how men approach me. Do I think I’m attractive? Yes I do. Is that a big crime?”

Eamonn then asks the killer question, “Why do you believe you’re good looking?”

Come on, we’ve all been thinking it. She’s not that hot. If Angelina Jolie had written that article, she may have had a point. But in this instance, and without meaning to sound cruel or brutal, the article seems somewhat disproportionate to the face behind it.

Samantha Brick choking on humble pie. Not. (image: dailymail.co.uk)

10. Samantha stands her brittle ground

“You go to a dinner party or party, there are ten blokes there,” probes Eamonn. “What percentage of those blokes do you know are attracted to you?”

“All of them, all of them Eamonn,” answers Samantha in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

Except it’s not tongue-in-cheek is it, because we know she genuinely believes this to be true. Puke.

Eamonn then asks: “Do you regret writing this article?”

“No I don’t regret writing it. I pitched a headline for the feature, ‘Why Does the Sisterhood Hate Attractive Women“, and I stand by that – women do not like attractive women.”

Err, what about lesbians? Or women who are bisexual? Or women who are related to eachother? Or women who don’t have an inferiority complex? Or women who appreciate aesthetic beauty? Or women who aren’t completely shallow or obsessed by physical appearance? Seems there’s quite a few women who don’t fit into your sweeping statement, Samantha.

“I have no problem with you thinking you’re attractive,” says Ruth. “I do have a problem with you saying to me as a woman: ‘I probably won’t like you when you walk into a room because you’re attractive’. And I do take offense at that because I think it’s totally wrong.” Hear hear.

12. Samantha Brick puts in the final nail

“Women do not like attractive women, and that’s been proven to me by the thousands of vile messages I’ve had on Twitter, the thousands of vile e-mails I’ve had to my personal account, the messages I’ve had on my own answerphone.”

If anything, I’d say the countless messages, Tweets and e-mails protesting against Samantha’s article prove that the Sisterhood is actually stronger than ever. Women around the globe are putting up a united front against Brick’s backward and two-dimensional portrayal of how females think and interact with one another. And for being the catalyst behind all this, Samantha Brick, I applaud you.

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/samantha-brick-defends-herself-on-this-morning/feed/5heleddwilliamsSamantha Brick This MorningSamantha Brick This MorningSamantha Brick This MorningSamantha Brick Samantha BrickSamantha Brick This MorningSamantha BrickSamantha Brick This MorningSamantha Brick This MorningPascal and Samantha Brick husbandGeorge Clooney arrested during protest!https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/george-clooney-arrested-during-protest-against-sudan-crisis/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/george-clooney-arrested-during-protest-against-sudan-crisis/#respondSat, 17 Mar 2012 13:26:28 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=576George Clooney proved himself to be a badass humanitarian yesterday when he was arrested for civil disobedience while protesting outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington DC.

A renowned celebrity activist, Clooney used his star wattage to illuminate the imminent humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where U.S. officials say as many as 250,000 people could face severe food shortages.

The Hollywood actor, who recently paid a secret visit to the Nuba Mountain region which divides Sudan and South Sudan (where he witnessed a rocket attack), protested alongside his father, journalist Nick Clooney, Democrat politicians and other humanitarians including Martin Luther King III.

During the protest, Clooney ignored three verbal warnings from the police to leave the embassy and as a result was handcuffed and led to a waiting van by members of the Secret Service. The day before his arrest Clooney met with President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss the Sudan situation.

Moments before his arrest, Clooney told reporters: “We are here really to ask two very simple questions. The first question is something immediate — and immediately, we need humanitarian aid to be allowed into the Sudan before it becomes the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.”

“The second thing is for the government in Khartoum to stop randomly killing its own innocent men, women and children. Stop raping them and stop starving them. That’s all we ask.”

Both Clooney and his father Nick were detained at the Metropolitan police department for three hours, but were released after paying bail of $100 (£63). Clooney described his arrest as “humilitating”, saying it was his first and would hopefully be his last, but also defended his actions.

“What we’ve been trying to achieve today is we’re trying to bring attention to an ongoing emergency,” he told reporters after being released. “Our job right now is to try to bring attention to it, and one of those ways was, apparently, get arrested.”

“We hope people understand there really is a ticking clock on this and we need to get moving… There’s been amazing progress at times. There’ve been some great strides, but on the other hand, there’s an awful lot that’s still going on.”

Comment

I’m often sceptical about celebrity activists because, similar to some politicans, their actions can seem somewhat self-serving. To me, boastful donations and rash, fashionable adoptions signal a messiah complex rather than an actual desire to help.

Having said that, at least these movie stars are getting off their butts and doing something to help, which is more than can be said for most of us. Indeed, who cares if celebrities are doing charitable things to feel good about themselves? At least they’re helping others in the process.

Whether Clooney’s political activism is partially ego-driven is therefore irrelevant because, on the whole, he is doing something inherently and undeniably good.

More importantly he’s captured the world’s attention and has reached a new (and arguably younger) audience – a group of people who, prior to Clooney’s arrest, might not have cared about the situation in Sudan, or possibly even known where exactly Sudan was.

If Clooney wanted to get the world talking, then he’s certainly done just that – and good on him. Now it’s up to the rest of us to do our bit. To find out what you can do to help Sudan, visit UNICEF.com.

Images: CNN, BBC, Twitter.

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/george-clooney-arrested-during-protest-against-sudan-crisis/feed/0heleddwilliamsGeorge Clooney outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington DC, March 2012Actor George Clooney, and his father Nick Clooney, take part in a protest at the Sudan Embassy in Washington, Friday, March 16, 2012. The demonstrators are protesting the escalating humanitarian emergency in Sudan that threatens the lives of 500,000 people. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)Satellite image showing geography of Sudan, source: NasaThe Descendants: Reviewhttps://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/the-descendants-review/
https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/the-descendants-review/#commentsMon, 12 Mar 2012 14:05:28 +0000http://tellyscope.wordpress.com/?p=517I had high hopes for The Descendants. After all, the film’s been met with rave reviews, five Oscar nominations, two Golden Globe awards and an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

So it came as a surprise to me when I went to see The Descendants at the cinema and almost fell asleep. The film, which centres around a Hawaiian lawyer named Matt King (George Clooney), has a slow-moving, almost non-existent plot that drags on for nearly two hours.

In short, the film is dull. Beautifully shot and well acted, yes, but definitely still dull.

George Clooney in The Descendants (image: typepad.com)

Here’s a quick lowdown of The Descendants for those who haven’t seen it yet (spoilers alert): Matt King is the sole trustee of 25,000 acres of untouched Hawaiian land which he and his cousins are about to sell. In other words, he’s a rich Hawaiian lawyer who’s about to get even richer.

Despite Matt’s apparent fortune, we soon find out that his wife has suffered a boating accident and as a result has been in a coma for almost a month. The film opens with a voiceover from Matt, during which he briefly (and vaguely) explains his life story, before boldly exclaiming: “Fuck paradise”.

Matt then embarks on a life-changing journey, where he makes amends for his past behaviour and faces up to his responsibilities. Namely, he must inform his family and friends that his wife is about to die, become a better father to his two bratty daughters in the process, confront the source of his marital problems, and make an honourable decision regarding his inheritance.

George Clooney plays the clueless but loveable father figure (image: media.salon.com)

It all sounds very dramatic, but the film actually bored me to tears. And before you think I’m completely heartless, I should point out that I cried like a baby while watching Ghost (I put the pathetic in empathetic). Alas, I felt no empathy toward Matt King. And that’s not a slight on Clooney’s performance either. In fact, I think Clooney is one of the few actors actually capable of bringing Matt’s two-dimensional character to life.

Clooney’s puppy-eyed charisma is what gives Matt King’s character any sort of substance or feeling. With baffled expressions and a goofy running style, Clooney nails the “clueless-but-loveably-awkward”, “middle-aged-single-father” persona (think Mel Gibson in What Women Want). In fact, if it wasn’t for Clooney’s charisma, I think I would have left the cinema.

George Clooney brings humour to The Descendants

But despite Clooney’s undeniable likeability, Matt’s character still isn’t great. This is particularly true during the scene where he insensitively breaks the news of his wife’s imminent death to his eldest daughter, an obnoxious teenager named Alexandra (played by the beautiful Shailene Woodley).

While swimming in her father’s pool, Alexandra is told that her mother will soon be taken off life-support. Cue an overly dramatic scene where she plunges her head underwater and delivers a silent scream that should represent emotional turmoil, but instead looks completely staged.

And that’s the thing about this film, it all just seems mechanical; as if each character is simply going through the motions. Despite the heart-felt performances, the film lacks soul. Indeed, The Descendants is filled with potentially powerful scenes, but somehow leaves you feeling empty.

Scottie (furthest right) played by Amara Miller, is one of the film's highlights (image: thefilmstage.com)

Maybe that’s the beauty of the film; maybe these juxtapositions are meant to remind us of how lonely it can be in so-called paradise. Still, something seems to be missing from The Descendants. Matt’s character in particular is pretty vacuous; in that he’s pretty to look at, but devoid of any real depth.

This is partially due to the fact that we don’t really get any detailed background on Matt during the film, just a few vague and self-depricating lines such as: “I was the back-up parent”. Having said that, Clooney does deliver a cracking emotional scene when he bids farewell to his wife at hospital.

Even so, each time Matt appeared on screen, all I could really think about was how well George Clooney looked (SILVER FOX ALERT). The fact that I was so easily distracted by Clooney’s remarkably well-preserved appearance speaks volumes about the film’s plot. After all, if you’re more interested by the lead’s hair than his character’s journey, then something’s definitely not right.

(image: amazonaws.com)

Summary

The bland storyline, soothing soundtrack and vanilla script all contribute towards making The Descendants a one-way ticket to snoresville, which is a shame, because the film could be touching if it weren’t so darn boring.

The Descendants features an array of potentially heart-warming, tear-jerking, and nail-biting situations: a father bonding with his daughters, a mother on her deathbed, a confrontation between a man and his wife’s secret lover… Yet none of these scenarios are poignant or interesting to watch.

Overall there’s nothing notably wrong with The Descendants. It’s a gentle “comedy-drama” that lightly touches upon a variety of heavy topics, and while I wouldn’t say there’s anything particularly gripping about it, you should go and see it if you a) like George Clooney, b) enjoy slow-paced films, or c) need a temporary solution to insomnia.

]]>https://tellyscope.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/the-descendants-review/feed/2heleddwilliamsGeorge Clooney The Descendants George Clooney The Descendants head popping out of grassGeorge Clooney The Descendants George Clooney The Descendants